Knowledge Transfer Mechanisms and Commercialization of Business Education Research in Nigerian Universities: A Triple Helix Analysis

This study examined the knowledge transfer mechanisms and commercialization pathways for Business Education research in Nigerian universities through a Triple Helix analytical framework. Knowledge transfer, encompassing the movement of research insights from universities to industry and government for practical application, is a critical but underdeveloped function of Nigerian Business Education departments. The Triple Helix Model, positing the university, industry, and government as three interacting helices driving innovation and economic development, provides a rich theoretical lens for analyzing the structural enablers and barriers of this process. A multi-site embedded case study design was employed across eight Business Education departments in universities across the North Central, South West, and South East zones. Data were generated over twenty-four months through ninety-six interviews with academics, industry partners, government officials, and technology transfer officers; document analysis of research commercialization records; and institutional surveys of 320 faculty members. Analysis employed cross-case synthesis, process tracing, and network analysis. Findings reveal that knowledge transfer in Business Education is characterized by weak university-industry interface structures, absent technology transfer offices in most departments, and fragmented government engagement. Institutions with established industry advisory boards and formal research commercialization policies demonstrated significantly higher transfer activity. The study makes an original application of the Triple Helix Model to Business Education in Nigeria and contributes a novel knowledge transfer typology relevant to African university contexts. Keywords: knowledge transfer, research commercialization, Triple Helix, Business Education, Nigerian universities